Minutes
SRCC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Monday, February 5, 2018 7:15 PM
LIFE IN THE CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
(formerly Grace UMC)
205 E. MONROE, AUSTIN, TEXAS
CALL TO ORDER/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. 7:15 Meeting procedures, etiquette, welcome newcomers. Verification of quorum. Reminder: state your name when presenting or seconding a motion. If an acronym is stated during the meeting and you don’t know what it means, please feel free to raise your hand and ask.*
Presenter throughout: Gretchen Otto, SRCC President, unless otherwise noted. (10 min)
2. 7:25 Membership and voting. Pay multiple years in advance and get a discount. Single membership: 1-yr $20; 2-yr $35; 3-yr $50 / Family membership: 1-yr $35; 2-yr $65; 3-yr $95 NOTE: In order to vote or make motions, dues must be paid a month in advance, with the exception that if a former member’s dues have lapsed no more than 2 years, they may renew at the meeting and be eligible to vote. (2 min)
3. 7:27 Approve minutes from December 4, 2017 monthly general meeting (available at www.srccatx.org). (3 min)
Motion: Claudette/Betty Weed to approve minutes from December 4th general membership meeting 20 for/ 0 opposed/ 0 abstaining –Passed.
4. 7:30 Treasurer’s Report – see attachment to agenda distributed at the meeting; all reports are available upon request to the Treasurer.
Presenter: Nancy Byrd, Treasurer (5 min)
5. 7:35 Committee Chairs reports
1) Planning and Zoning– 1503 Betty Jo and item below; 2) Historic Preservation — update on historic district; 3) Finance; 4) Mobility; 5) Public Safety–see item below; 6) Parks and Environment; 7) Schools–see item below; 8) Communications (chair needed); 9) Executive Committee; 10) CodeNEXT ad hoc committee
Representatives: 11) ANC*; 12) SCC*; 13) South Central Waterfront; 14) St. Edward’s (10 min)
Mobility—Mike Kelly shared that information is being shared on the website. He reported that a priority for 2018 is sidewalks along St. Edwards Drive from Congress to I-35. A member asked about the pedestrian beacon on Riverside at Alameda. Project is currently under construction with foundations being poured the week of February 19.
Parks & Environment–Wendy Todd shared that the first Saturday of the month volunteers work in the Blunn Creek Nature Preserve, starting at 8 am. Anyone interested in volunteering, contact David Todd.
CodeNEXT–The Committee is waiting for work to be finished by the city. When revisions have been made and released, the committee will resume its work.
South Central Waterfront Advisory Board–Wendy Todd explained that at a prior meeting, SRCC supported the opposition (from Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association) of an office building to be built on the current Hooters property. Wendy shared that she would likely vote to support the Bouldin representative’s position. Members of SRCC discussed that we voted to oppose the development. The original representative from Bouldin abstained from voting. (Reason for his abstention is unclear.) The newer representative is likely going to vote to oppose, as originally discussed at an earlier SRCC meeting. There is a meeting at Twin Oaks Library on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 6 pm where the developer and the plan reviewer will be present at the meeting to discuss further. Current height restrictions were 60 ft. and they are asking for 195 ft. It was clarified in our meeting that a change in Bouldin’s position would mean that Wendy would abstain from voting.
South Central Coalition—Eloa Matthews shared information about the following:
Report from Jeff Jack, ANC President on COA Equity office running Draft 3 through “equity lensâ€. The report on Draft 2 from Equity office is due out Jan 31. Draft 3 due out Feb. 12 so that allows only 10 days for staff to incorporate recommendations into Draft 3. The thought is that the recs will only inform discussion of Draft 3, not be included as there is not time. Also discussed how to help SCC neighborhoods with large minority populations push back on loss of their affordable homes. SCC had larger minority populations before recent development in the last decade.
Also we had a report on the Hooters PUD from Cory Walton of Bouldin. The applicant is asking for 195 feet when the current zoning on the site only allows 60 feet. Several downtown organizations are supporting this increased height south of the river. Bouldin neighborhood is opposing because of concerns over them not providing enough community benefit, as well as not having the SCW financial framework in place yet. Past president Cory Walton will be taking the place of the South Central Waterfront rep from Bouldin who resigned. SRCC voted to support Bouldin’s opposition to the increased height on the site.
ANC is working on getting Errors and Omissions (E and O) liability coverage that Neighborhood Associations can purchase like a group plan. This coverage will protect NAs when they are sued by developers for making an error in the course of granting variances for zoning changes or development. The discussion included what type of orgs needed this coverage including 501(c)4’s.
Nominations Committee—Carol Martin shared that the committee would have a meeting this Saturday to discuss potential president & treasurer and then report back to us. The finalized slate of candidates will be posted on the website. The election will occur here at our next meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6. 7:45 Update on SRCC ad-hoc nominating committee, formed to identify and make recommendations for candidates in the SRCC 2018 officer elections at next month’s meeting; open positions include President and Treasurer.
Presenter: Carol Martin (10 min)
NEW BUSINESS
7. 7:55 Update on the I Heart THES fundraiser, supporting Travis Heights Elementary School. The fundraiser will be going on February 12 through 16.
Presenter/Guest: Kathleen Mulhausen, kathleen@emintdesign.com, THES Parent and PTA Volunteer (5 min)
Kathleen Mulhausen shared that THES has a fundraiser coming up, and she wanted to encourage SRCC members and neighbors to donate to the school to support their programs. She left us with an outline of partnership levels. Gretchen shared that SRCC has a custom of donating $100 to each school. Sam Martin, chair of the finance committee, shared that the protocol was for the finance committee to review and make a recommendation to the SRCC membership.
8. 8:00 The Whip-in was recently sold to new owners and is expanding the kitchen and live music. They would like to build a relationship with the neighborhood and would like SRCC’s support for an Outdoor Music Venue permit. VOTE EXPECTED.
Proposed Whip In Sound Abatement Plan
Some Frequently Asked Questions about sound permitting in Austin (including hours)
Presenter/Guest: Harold McMillan, haroldmcmillan@gmail.com, Music Manager, Whip In(10 min + 5 min Q&A)
Harold McMillan introduced himself and shared that he was trying to re-activate the Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) permit. He reported that the kitchen has been enlarged and installed an outside stage and new bathrooms. They are in the process of putting up a fence and a roof over the stage areas. He shared that applying for a permit to provide live music entails inspections by the city and meeting the criteria set up by the City of Austin. The standard shut-down time for music venues is 8 pm on weeknights and 10 pm for weekends. For variances from that, the City Music Office can approve/disapprove any variance from those time periods.. Whip in is asking for music to be played up until 10 pm Sunday thru Thursday, and until 12 pm for the weekends. The capacity of the outside venue hasn’t been determined yet, but he expected it to be around 120. He shared details about the sound system which will be mounted under the roof of the stage and pointed down to the audience. A sound blocking fabric will be installed on the fence that surrounds the area. The city sets as a maximum of decibels as 75-80 for a location like the Whip In. A member of SRCC shared that she would find it disruptive for music to go on past 10 pm on the weekends. Another member of SRCC shared that some shows attract many people and result in a lot of trash and people hanging out along Mariposa. Harold shared that the types of music he wants to encourage is International Soul: Indian music, Eastern music that is not Indian, “Gypsy Jazzâ€, Turkish, Brazilian, and Colombian music.
Motion: Vicky Moerbe/Ruth Caseras that SRCC to support the Whip In’s application for an OMV permit. (Sunday thru Thursday over by 10 pm, Weekends over by 12 pm, and a maximum of 80 decibels.) support = 5, Opposed= 10, abstain= 11.
Discussion before vote for previous motion: Several members discussed the effect of the sound on neighbors who live closest to the venue and the distress that can be caused by sound in your home coming from a commercial activity. In a year, we will get notice when the permit needs to be authorized again and we can discuss or change our vote then.
Motion: Betty Weed/ Claudette Lowe That SRCC is not opposed to the Whip In’s application for an OMV permit. Support =9 /opposed =10 /Abstain=7
Discussion before vote for previous motion: A member asked if it would be better for our vote to follow the members of the Homeowner’s Association for the condos, who live closest to the venue. Another member asked if there was any negotiation with the weekend hours. Harold said that yes, it was negotiable. Another member shared that the permit belongs to the venue, not Harold personally. (If, for some reason, Harold were to leave the Whip In, the permit would still belong to the Whip In.)
Motion: Cynthia Milne/Richard Whymark SRCC supports the Whip In’s application for an OMV permit with ending of the music at 10 pm all days. Support= 9/opposed=7/Abstain=11
—MOTION PASSED
9. 8:15 Construction of a guest house at 1109 Travis Heights Boulevard, as well as renovation of the historic main house. Will go before Board of Adjustment in March. VOTE EXPECTED.
Permit applications with architectural drawings attachment can be found on COA Development Services Department. https://www.austintexas.gov/department/development-services See “Austin Build + Connect (AB+C)â€, Public search
Presenter/Guest: Norma Yancey, AIA, norma@sidetracked-studio.com, Principal, Sidetracked Studio (5 min + 10 min Q&A)
Planning & Zoning: Russell Fraser introduced Candace and Adam Walker, who live on Travis Heights Blvd. The owners and architects of the project are present. The owners want to add a guest house to their property. Norma Yancey, the architect, shared a site plan and diagrams of the project. Adam and Candace have lived in the house for 5 years. Adam’s grandfather lived in the historic house previously. Adam and Candace will live in the guest house while the historic house is restored. The property includes 3 heritage trees on the back of the property, which is why the design is on the front of the property. The garage is designed to below ground, with only the garage door facing Travis Heights Blvd. Russell Fraser shared that the Planning and Zoning committee of SRCC voted “no objection†to the variances being requested. He said the Austin Land Development Code†paragraph 25-2-473 allows for variances in “special circumstances.“ The property itself is 100 feet wide, where normal lots are 50 feet wide; heritage trees, and a slope on the front of the property support this recommendation. .
Motion: Russel Fraser/Betty Weed. SRCC DOES NOT OBJECT to the requested variances on the property at 1109 Travis Heights Blvd, 78704, from LDC 25-2-1604 C(1&2), dealing with the front lot line, façade and garage width, as depicted in presentation tonight, 2/5/2018, to our neighborhood association, showing the ‘proposed site plan for the Walker Guest House, A.00, dated 8.21.17 issued for permit’. support= 19/Opposed= 0/ Abstained=5
10. 8:30 Information and training on the City’s new curbside composting program, which is part of the City’s Zero Waste initiative. http://www.austintexas.gov/austincomposts
Presenter: Crispin Ruiz, cr@groupsolutionsrjw.com, and Teresa Martinez, Group Solutions RJW representing Austin Resource Recovery (10 min + 5 min Q&A)
Crispin Ruiz discussed the curbside composting program. The program is expanding to the rest of the neighborhood soon. She shared that those who already have the carts can request a kitchen compost bin with compostable bags. There are many things that can go in the city’s composting cart that wouldn’t regularly go in household composting bins. The next expansion is expected to come in June. The newest expansion will become visible on the map in March.
11. 8:45 SRCC is restarting the Neighborhood Watch program, and we are scheduling training for neighborhood watch volunteers.
Presenter: Tom Groce, tgroce71@gmail.com, SRCC Public Safety Chair (10 min)
Tom Groce has scheduled a training on Thursday, Feb. 22nd, 6:30 pm, in the same room as the general membership meetings at Life in the City United Methodist Church for interested SRCC members. For any questions, email Tom.
8:55 GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Elections Potluck – need volunteers!
· Preservation Austin History Hunt – Saturday Feb 10th, 9-11 am, Blunn Creek Greenbelt – RSVP
https://www.preservationaustin.org/events/history-hunt-in-travis-heights
· VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We need volunteers for several open, and soon to be open, positions
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR, TREASURER (2018), PRESIDENT (2018)
· Greater South River City Neighborhood Planning Contact Team members are stewards of our 2005 Neighborhood Plan. To join or for information, visit this page:
Contact Terry Franz if interested: tmfranz@airmail.net
· Austin Monitor discount: SRCC16 for 20% off subscription
Account reconciliation, Profit & Loss and Balance reports available upon request from treasurer@srccatx.org or financecommittee@srccatx.org
*Frequently used acronyms: ACF: Austin Community Fund; ANC: Austin Neighborhood Council; SF: Single Family zoning category; FLUM: Future Land Use Map; GSRC NPCT: Greater South River City Neighborhood Planning Contact Team, NCCD: Neighborhood Conservation Combining District; SCC: South Central Coalition of NAs
Agenda Prepared by Dan Fredine, vicepresident@srccatx.org
Minutes recorded by Mary Friedman, secretary@srccatx.org
